It has been bitterly cold here this past week - cold enough to make me threaten aloud to transfer to any college in Florida. Today made up for it – big time. It’s a Friday, and everyone I know had either tests to take, papers to hand in, or –the best, well worst- a practical to take. I’m not a bio major, but from an outsider, practicals seem like they make students travel to the depths of hell and back, while walking on their hands. My friends who have them disappear weeks before to study in a remote corner of the library, and dread them worse than people dreaded the plague. I’m convinced if they banded together they could possibly win a class action suit against them on the basis they are cruel and unusual punishment. Oh, but here’s the best part if they are cancelled they don’t reschedule them. I’m not lying when I say I saw tears of joy well up in their eyes when they got the text message declaring no school.
So what have I been up to? (Besides lying in bed ‘til noon? The best thing to do on snow days is sleep.) I told you I had some fun stuff coming up. Well Monday I got my mouth guard, Tuesday I molded it, and Wednesday I was all set for the first tackling practice of the rugby season. And considering I’m able to be typing this today on Friday, it went pretty well. It’s not as hard or scary as it looks, but it does take some getting used to. (Especially the getting tackled part) We played a rugby version of steal the bacon. It was honestly a lot of fun.
Monday was the Habitat for Humanity meeting. Now it’s getting exciting, since the trip is coming. We put in our money, and filled out the waivers. Now it’s official. We are going to greet a visiting chapter in a little while, actually.
Ok, well I have to go but before I do I wanted to share something new I discovered! Explosions in the Sky is a great band to study to. It’s all instrumental. I know that made me think it was like classical music at first, but it’s far from it. Check ‘em out!!
Becky

Posted by Rebecca Bartley at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know it has been a longer time than usual since I’ve lasted posted. I apologize, but to make up for it I have some interesting news and stories. Oh where to begin…
I guess I’ll go backwards and start with the fresh and new. Well Monday will be exciting since I have a Habitat for Humanity meeting. And this is no ordinary meeting because it will be about our spring break trip to Georgia! I really excited about this. Some people were like, “Why would you want to spend your break doing that?” To which my reply was, “Why not?!” Look at it this way, I get to spend my days in the sun with my friends while making new friends and (here’s the big one) doing something great. And believe me; I need a fix of good karma since I’ve been weak with my Lenten Sacrifice of fried foods. (Can someone be addicted to chicken nuggets and French fries?)
Ok look up to the title of this blog. No, that is not a typo. I have a surprise for you. That term is a rugby term because…. rugby is the team I joined! You might have the same reaction as my mom and friends if you knew I’m about as intimidating as Gandhi in size and a bunny in looks. But I make up for all that in attitude, or at least I hope so. So after being laughed at and eliciting cries of, “wow, you are going to get killed,” this had become more than just a sport I wanted to try, it’s a survivor game for me. I will stick with it regardless of a few bumps or bruises. I will prove to anyone who’s ever laughed at me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. Practices have been going well, keeping in mind we haven’t started tackling. I can throw, I can catch, and I can run. I learned about rucks, scrums, and how to score a touch (no down, just touch). Oh, and a ruck is what happens after someone gets tackled and the teams come together to get possession of the ball.
Well last Thursday was Valentine’s Day, or Single Awareness Day as my friends like to call it. I actually like Valentine’s Day because I focus on my friends and doing little things for them instead of hating all the cute couples. I found out there’s a florist right up the street so I got roses for my best friend and roommate. I know everyone thinks it’s just a holiday that Hallmark invented and after spending $20 on cards I almost agree, but if you look past that I think it’s just a nice day to remind the people close to you that you care. (hmmm…maybe Hallmark should hire me)
I think I will give you a preview of some things to look forward to:
Study Abroad Fair Mar. 3rd- Italy? Australia? New Zealand??
Tackling practices in Rugby- ouch
Rooming situations for next year – let the confusion begin!
Well I have a 1st draft on a paper to do and a computer lit test tomorrow. Wish me luck!!
Becky

Posted by Rebecca Bartley at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am so happy to be back! The only thing that makes being back at school better is the fact that I'm writing this from bed because classes were canceled due to snow. Oh and its Friday! How could this day get better? Well, it will because my friend Regina is coming to visit the school with her brother, who just got accepted and wants to check it out.
When I came back to Scranton after such a long break it’s almost like I never left, but at the same time there are a few changes, like the new student center, aka The Denaples Center. It's really awesome, but it does have its cons. Like the lines have been nuts lately and some of the layout of the building could have been done a little better. For example, the main dining section has been split into two parts so you have to walk back and forth through the sections to get food and there are no trays so carrying your plates is annoying. I guess that is to prevent people from taking more than they eat and cutting down on wasted food, but the portions are also now so small that really isn’t a problem. Between the walking back and forth and the portions I feel like the University put me on a diet. But I really can't hate the Denaples Center. It's beautiful and the food is great and it's a great place to hang out. Plus everything I need is right there: mail room, bookstore, convenience store, and (Yes!) a Starbucks! Aside from the student center, the other new things at Scranton are the new faces. I’ve met three new transfers that live in my building alone. I guess more and more people are figuring out what I already know that the U of S is more than just a place to learn; it’s a place that becomes your new home.
Well it’s good to be back!
Becky

Posted by Rebecca Bartley at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)